Comparative Effectiveness of Combined Favipiravir and Oseltamivir Therapy Versus Oseltamivir Monotherapy in Critically Ill Patients With Influenza Virus Infection. (11th December 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Yeming; Fan, Guohui; Salam, Alex; Horby, Peter; Hayden, Frederick G; Chen, Cheng; Pan, Jianguang; Zheng, Jing; Lu, Binghuai; Guo, Liping; Wang, Chen; Cao, Bin
• Is Part Of: Journal of infectious diseases. Volume 221:Number 10(2020)
• Page Start: 1688
• Page End: 1698
• Publication Date: 2019-12-11
• Subjects: favipiravir -- influenza -- critical ill -- outcome -- oseltamivir; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Diseases -- Causes and theories of causation -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.9
• DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiz656
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-1899

Abstract

Abstract: Background: A synergistic effect of combination therapy with favipiravir and oseltamivir has been reported in preclinical models of influenza. However, no data are available on the clinical effectiveness of combination therapy in severe influenza. Methods: Data from 2 separate prospective studies of influenza adults were used to compare outcomes between combination and oseltamivir monotherapy. Outcomes included rate of clinical improvement (defined as a decrease of 2 categories on a 7-category ordinal scale) and viral RNA detectability over time. Subhazard ratios (sHRs) were estimated by the Fine and Gray model for competing risks. Results: In total, 40 patients were treated with combination therapy and 128 with oseltamivir alone. Clinical improvement on day 14 in the combination group was higher than in the monotherapy group (62.5% vs 42.2%; P = .0247). The adjusted sHR for combination therapy was 2.06 (95% confidence interval, 1.30–3.26). The proportion of undetectable viral RNA at day 10 was higher in the combination group than the oseltamivir group (67.5% vs 21.9%; P < .01). No significant differences were observed in mortality or other outcomes. Conclusions: Favipiravir and oseltamivir combination therapy may accelerate clinical recovery compared to oseltamivir monotherapy in severe influenza, and this strategy should be formally evaluated in a randomized controlled trial. Abstract : No data are available on the clinical effectiveness of favipiravir and oseltamivir combination therapy in influenza. Comparing clinical outcomes between the combination therapy cohort (n = 40) and oseltamivir monotherapy cohort (n = 128), combination therapy may accelerate clinical recovery in critically ill patients.